July 30, 2008

On July 29, 2008 shortly after 9:00 pm officers from the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department's Violent Criminal Apprehension Team (VCAT), Vice and Narcotics Division and Street Crimes Task Force arrested Shawn Darnell Howard.  A murder warrant was issued for Shawn Darnell Howard for the Murder of Jacob Massachi, which took place on July 29, 2008 at approximately 4:43 pm. In a joint effort, officers tracked Mr. Howard to an associate's address in Matthews, NC, where he was taken into custody without incident. 

Shortly before 4:43 pm Providence Division officers responded to a call for service regarding shots fired on Zircon Street which runs off of Dunn Avenue.  When officers arrived, they found the victim deceased inside of a minivan, parked outside of a residence.  The victim sustained at least one gunshot wound and was pronounced deceased at the scene. The preliminary investigation revealed that the shooting was preceded by an argument between Mr. Massachi and Mr. Howard in an apparent landlord-tenant dispute. 

Anyone with information about this incident can now call 704-432-TIPS and you will be able to speak to a Homicide Unit detective directly.  Detective Bill Ward is the lead detective working this case.